Willis Otieno urges Kenya to break political cycle to experience change
By Aloys Michael, August 3, 2025Constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has called on Kenyans to abandon entrenched political traditions and embrace bold reforms, warning that merely changing leaders without dismantling the current political system is futile.
Otieno’s remarks come as the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections amid growing public discontent over economic instability, widespread corruption, and political stagnation.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Otieno said that Kenya’s chronic governance challenges stem not from individual politicians, but from a system that perpetuates impunity and rewards mediocrity.
“If we truly want a better Kenya. We must dare to try something different. Real change means breaking political tradition,” the statement read.
Otieno urged Kenyans must stop expecting transformation from leaders who are products of a flawed status quo.
“Kenya won’t fix itself by repeating the same failures. Change won’t come from comfort zones. It starts with daring to believe Kenya can be better and acting like it,” he warned.
The lawyer, known for his work on electoral justice and constitutionalism, challenged citizens to demand more than cosmetic changes.
“It’s not just about replacing leaders. It’s about replacing the system that breeds impunity,” he emphasised.
Otieno called for a new generation of leadership rooted in integrity, accountability, and people-centred governance.
“New names. New values. New direction,” he urged, signalling the need for both a cultural and institutional reboot.
“The reality is brutal: you’re educated but jobless. You’re trying to build a life in a country that gives you no room to stand, let alone grow. Every opportunity feels locked behind tribal politics, connections, or corruption.”
Otieno on polls
He delivered a strong message ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the process will not be controlled by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), but by the people of Kenya themselves.
Speaking on a popular podcast on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, Otieno emphasised that IEBC is merely a facilitator, not the custodian of the people’s will.
He pointed out that the commission’s role is purely administrative, tasked with providing logistical support to actualise the choices of voters.
According to him, the real power in determining the direction of the election lies with the citizens, not with the electoral body.
“It’s not upon IEBC to deliver free, fair and credible elections; Kenyans will do it themselves. IEBC is just a facilitator of this process; they will not control this process. The coming elections will be controlled by Kenyans.
“IEBC has no final say; it’s Kenyans who will decide the final say, not IEBC. IEBC will just facilitate and provide an administrative setup to actualise the will of the people,” Otieno said.
He described the upcoming elections as a defining moment that will set the people of Kenya directly against the political establishment.
In his view, the majority of Kenyans will be on one side, demanding change, while legacy politicians will be on the other, attempting to maintain the status quo.
“The next elections will be between the people of Kenya and legacy politicians, with Kenyans being the majority on one side and politicians on the other side,” Willis added.